NEIL TIDMAN and Baz Carey are planning to bring championship belts back to Coventry's Capitol gym.

Bedworth puncher Tidman takes on Jonjo Finnegan for the vacant Midlands Area super-middleweight title in Burton-on-Trent on March 3 and Carey has home advantage for his title bid three weeks later.

He will do battle with Billy Smith for the vacant Midlands Area light-welterweight strap at the Leofric Hotel on Coventry Sporting Club's latest dinner show on March 24.

Tidman gets his chance in just his eighth professional fight having proved his championship credentials by chalking up six wins and going the distance with British and Commonwealth title contender Andrew Lowe in his last fight.

The 28-year-old said: "I'm lucky to get this chance so early in my career.

"There are a lot of other good lads out there and I'm going to take this chance.

"I can't wait for the fight. I know he's a good boxer and has a big heart, but this is a fight I know I can win."

Finnegan has compiled an impressive record in his two and a half-year career - winning 10 of his 14 fights and drawing three.

He is unbeaten in his previous four fights in front of his home crowd and Tidman said: "I'm not bothered about boxing in his back yard because I can't see the fight going the distance."

Carey knows what to expect when he makes his fourth bid for championship honours.

He has boxed Smith three times before - winning twice with the other fight being ruled a no-contest - and they were all hard-fought battles.

Carey had to pick himself off the floor to win their first fight at the Leofric Hotel in April, 2005 and has looked to have the Stourport scrapper's measure in their last two fights.

He was winning their rematch on points when a bomb scare led to the fight being declared a no contest and then jabbed his way to a convincing win in December, 2005.

Carey said: "This the best chance I've had to win a title.

"All my other title fights were away from home and I didn't have as long to prepare as I would have liked.

"I'm at home this time and I've beaten him twice before.

"I boxed his head off last time, but I'm ready for a hard 10 rounds. He is in good form and will beat me if I'm not 100 per cent fit."

A coach will be going to Tidman's title fight from the White Hart in Bulkington and fight tickets are available from there and from 024 7636 4237.